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Even if you don’t know much about the Jackson 5 (sometimes written as the Jackson 5ive), you’ve likely heard at least one of their songs over the years. Their songs ‘I Want You Back’ and ‘Santa Claus Is Coming to Town’ have been topping charts for years and still continue to be longtime favorites of people all over the world.
But just who was the Jackson Five? And why are they no longer in the spotlight? Read on to find out more about this iconic group and the story behind their music.
The Beginning of the Jackson 5
The Jackson 5 was originally named as such as it was made up of a group of 5 siblings with the last name Jackson. All 5 of the children were born in Gary, Indiana, and experienced a very strict upbringing at the hands of their father, Joe Jackson.
Despite the sometimes tense home life, Joe noticed that his sons all had some unique musical talents. It wasn’t long before he realized he could use these talents to get the kids, and himself, out of the harsh working-class life he had created.
Joe began by creating a singing group with just the three oldest, Jackie, Jermaine, and Tito. Joe took the trio around to local bars and clubs to perform in Indiana. Sometimes, two cousins would join the performances.
As time passed, Joe noticed that his two youngest, Marlon and Michael Jackson also had musical talent, and they would eventually replace the two cousins in performances. Joe insisted his sons not only work on their singing but also their dancing abilities and overall performance tactics.
Once Marlon and Michael joined the group, the name The Jackson 5 was solidified, and the child stars began to enter, and win, singing competitions all over the state. This eventually led to them winning a singing competition in New York and the official beginning of their career.
Unfortunately, because the name was the Jackson Five, the youngest Jackson brother, Randy Jackson, missed out on being part of the original group. However, he was later included in the tv series as well as some performances.
There have been many movies and a couple of tv series created about the Jackson 5 which show a young Michael Jackson performing. The most famous Jackson 5 movie was a 5 episode mini-series tv special about the group which aired on ABC in 1992.
Who Discovered the Jackson 5?
Of course, fame doesn’t just happen overnight. It was actually Bobby Taylor who discovered the group in 1968 and brought them to the attention of Motown Records.
The Jackson 5 Members
The Jackson 5 was made up of a group of brothers who all had singing, instrument playing, and dancing abilities.
Jackie Jackson
Jackie Jackson was born in 1941 and is the oldest Jackson 5 brother. He was part of the original trio put together by Joe along with Tito and Germaine.
Of the group, Jackie has the highest singing voice as he is a tenor, and he also plays tambourine and percussion instruments in many of the songs. Although he contributed heavily to songwriting for the group, when he attempted to start a solo career like Michael and Jermaine Jackson, it was a huge flop.
Tito Jackson
Born in 1952, Tito Jackson is the third child of the Jackson family (second brother) and was with his older brother Jackie in the original trip formed of the brothers. Tito is known for his talent of playing the guitar, which was discovered when he was just 10 years old.
Unfortunately, while recording at Motown, Tito was not allowed to play the guitar in many of the Jackson 5 original tracks. It wasn’t until they left for a different recording studio CBS, the fans even got to hear the talented guitarist play. In the early recordings, Tito provided just vocals to the group.
Jermaine Jackson
Jermaine Jackson was born in 1954 and was the third member of the trio his father originally put together. Jermaine was the original lead singer of the group, while also playing bass guitar.
After his younger brother Michael joined the Jackson 5, Jermaine was demoted to a backup singer. He eventually pursued recording his own songs in the early 1970s, and while his first cover ‘Daddy’s Home’ was a hit, he had trouble topping charts after that and eventually rejoined his brothers.
Marlon Jackson
Marlon Jackson was born in 1957 along with a twin, who died shortly after birth. Out of all of the Jackson brothers, Marlon was closest to Michael Jackson.
Once Joe noticed Marlon also had musical talent similar to his brothers, he was quick to expand the trio to include both Marlon and Michael Jackson. Marlon sang, danced, and also played the conga and tambourine. He too tried to pursue his own solo career for a bit, but ultimately wasn’t a huge success.
Michael Jackson
Born in 1958, just 17 months after his older brother Marlon, no one could predict what would happen when this legend was first put as a backup percussion player for the trio his father had formed with his three oldest brothers.
In 1964, when Michael Jackson was just 6 years old, he was put on lead vocals with his brother Jermaine, and the rest is history. The Jackson 5 went on to release numerous hit songs until Michael left to record on his own which led to him eventually being named the king of pop and being one of the most famous musicians in the United States and around the world.
Where Are They Now?
Obviously, the Jackson 5 isn’t still hitting the charts, but after such a successful career, many are wondering where the famous group is now.
Jackie Jackson
Jackie Jackson is still active with music today, living in Las Vegas, Nevada where he occasionally puts on shows with some of his brothers. He released a single in 2010 but had been laying low ever since. He has been married 3 times and has 4 children.
Tito Jackson
Tito Jackson is surprisingly still in the music industry as he began his solo work as a blues singer in 2003. He has released multiple hit singles in the years since, with his latest being ‘Love One Another’ released in 2021. He was married once, although his ex-wife has since died. The couple had 3 children.
Jermaine Jackson
Jermaine, like Tito, has also remained active in the music world over the years, although his solo releases were nothing to write home about. During the last two decades, Jermaine Jackson has made headlines by participating in reality TV shows. He has been married and divorced three times, and has 7 children.
Marlon Jackson
Unlike his brothers, Marlon Jackson has stayed out of the spotlight and left the entertainment world for the most part. Although he did join for the reunion tour following the death of his brother Michael Jackson. Marlon is married to Carol Parker and has three children.
Michael Jackson
Michael Jackson died on June 25th, 2009 of cardiac arrest due to a drug overdose administered by his personal physician. He is buried in Forest Lawn Memorial Park in Los Angeles, California, USA.
The Jackson 5 Songs
Over the course of 20 years, the Jackson five released numerous songs that hit the top charts. The most famous Jackson 5 songs on the Spotify app are:
- ABC
- Santa Claus is Coming to Town
- I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus
- Dancing Machine
- I Want You Back
- I’ll Be There
- Goin’ Back to Indiana
The Jackson 5 Albums
The Jackson 5 released album after album during their career, achieving success at both Motown Records and CBS Studios. Additionally, after Michael’s death in 2009, the remaining brothers came together to recreate and re-release some of their most famous songs. Here are the top Jackson 5 albums on the Spotify app.
- Diana Ross Presents the Jackson 5 (1969)
- Christmas Album (1970)
- Third Album (1970)
- ABC (1970)
Janet Jackson and the Jackson 5
Believe it or not, famous singer and songwriter Janet Jackson is actually the youngest sibling of the Jackson family. Born in 1966, she was just a little too young to be included in the fame her brothers would achieve with the Jackson five when she was just three years old.
Later she would have her own successful career, thanks in part to her father who got her a recording contract when she was just 16 years old. Janet is still an active musician today and performs in concerts all over the world. You can find out more about her upcoming tours on her official website.
FAQs
Who were the members of the Jackson 5? ›
The Jackson 5
What happened to the other members of the Jackson Five? ›The brothers kept the family group – no longer The Jackson 5, but simply the Jacksons – going after Michael's death, going on several tours and also releasing new recordings. Randy, the family's youngest son who replaced Jermaine in the family group in the 1970s, went on to co-found a record label with sister Janet.
What happened to the Jackson 5 family? ›The original Jackson 5 lineup came to an end in 1975 when Jermaine left the group and was replaced by brother Randy Jackson, at which point the group became known as The Jacksons. In the '80s, Jermaine rejoined and, for a brief time, there were six members, including when they released the album Victory in 1984.
How many members of the Jackson 5 were there? ›One of the first boy bands, the Jackson 5 consisted of brothers from Gary, Indiana: Jackie (born Sigmund), Tito (born Toriano), Jermaine, Marlon, and Michael Jackson.
Who was missing from the Jackson 5? ›Absent from the deal was Jermaine Jackson, who decided to stay with Motown following his marriage to Hazel Gordy, and Randy Jackson replaced him.
Which brother was not in the Jackson 5? ›Randy was not an original member of the Jackson 5, first appearing live with his brothers in 1971 at a Christmas show the Jackson 5 held for blind children.
Which Jackson brothers married the same woman? ›If there's one best example of how dysfunctional the Jackson family is, know this — Jermaine stole away, then married, the mother of his younger brother Randy's children. Randy met Alejandra Oaziaza in 1986, when she was about 17 and he was 24.
Who is the richest Jackson family member? ›With a net worth (per Celebrity Net Worth) of $190 million, Janet Jackson is the richest Jackson family member.
How many of the 9 Jackson kids are still alive? ›The legendary talent manager was the patriarch to one of the most famous families in the world and fathered 10 children with wife Katherine. Sadly, only nine of their kids survived until adulthood. Brandon, Marlon Jackson's twin brother, died shortly after birth.
Why did Jermaine leave Jackson 5? ›Jermaine split from the Jackson Five to start a solo career at Motown, and was replaced by his brother Randy Jackson. Unbeknownst to the group, Gordy had trademarked the name The Jackson Five and did not allow the group to continue using the name when they left the label.
How many Jackson 5 kids were there? ›
Second generation: Michael, Janet and the Jacksons
Together, Joe and Katherine Jackson had 10 children (their son Brandon, Marlon's twin, died shortly after birth). The other nine grew up to become professional musicians and other professions.
As may be expected, Michael Jackson left The Jacksons when his solo career took off, and he wanted to focus on that. The band was started back in 1965 with Jackie, Tito and Jermaine Jackson.
How old was Michael Jackson when he did Jackson 5? ›Michael made his professional debut at the age of 6, in 1964, with his elder brothers Jackie, Tito, Jermaine, and Marlon as a member of their singing group, to be officially named The Jackson 5 in 1965.
Who made The Jackson 5 famous? ›In 1968, Bobby Taylor (of Bobby Taylor & The Vancouvers) discovered a group of five talented young brothers from Gary, Indiana and brought them to Motown's attention. Their audition impressed president Berry Gordy, who signed The Jackson 5 almost immediately.
Why were The Jackson 5 important? ›In 1969, the group opened for Diana Ross and released their first single “I Want You Back.” It was a number one pop and R&B hit along with their next two singles, “ABC” and “The Love You Save.” The Jackson 5 continued to have successes and was the first group to have their first four singles go to number one on ...
Who found Michael Jackson? ›His physician, Conrad Murray, said that he found Jackson in his room at his North Carolwood Drive home in the Holmby Hills area of the city not breathing and with a weak pulse; he administered cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) to no avail, and security called 9-1-1 at 12:21 p.m. Pacific Daylight Time (UTC–7).
Were the Jackson brothers jealous of Michael? ›The Jacksons have been described as dysfunctional, but that's an understatement. They loathe each other, particularly Michael - for whom they felt varying degrees of jealousy and disgust. The King of Pop rarely wanted anything to do with them, which only increased the psychosis.
How much is Michael Jackson worth? ›In 2021, the Tax Court issued a ruling in favor of the estate, ruling that the estate's total combined value of the estate was $111.5 million and that the value of Jackson's name and likeness was $4 million (not the $61 million estimated by the IRS's outside expert witness).
Which Jackson brother is closest to Michael? ›Marlon Jackson was born in 1957 along with a twin, who died shortly after birth. Out of all of the Jackson brothers, Marlon was closest to Michael Jackson.
Who is the most famous Jackson brother? ›Michael Jackson They called him the King of Pop* for a reason. Janet Jackson With 160 million albums sold, ten No. 1 singles, and a new world tour in support of her album Unbreakable, she'd be the biggest pop star in pretty much any other family.
Which Jackson 5 is a cousin? ›
Career. The label promoted Jackson and keyboardist Ronnie Rancifer as the cousins of The Jackson Five, however neither Ronnie Rancifer nor Johnny Jackson are actually related to the Jacksons. On March 1, 2006, Jackson died at a home in Gary after being stabbed by his girlfriend, Yolanda Davis, following a quarrel.
Do the Jackson brothers have money? ›Net Worth: $200,000
The oldest of the Jackson brothers, Jackie Jackson has a net worth of $200,000, according to Celebrity Net Worth.
Marlon David Jackson is the sixth child of the Jackson family in Gary Indiana with his twin brother Brandon, who died hours after the birth. In 1964, he and his younger brother Michael joined their older brothers Jackie, Tito, and Jermaine in their band and they became " The Jackson 5".
Do the Jackson kids have a relationship with their mother? ›When they split, Michael had custody of Paris and her brother Prince. And after that, Paris had very minimal contact with her mom. But in 2013, four years after her dad passed away, then 15 years old, Paris reconnected with her mom, and the two have formed a non-traditional relationship.
Who owns Michael Jackson's music? ›The solo career of Jackson, who passed away in 2009, always had Sony and CBS as the sole owners of his recording catalog. His musical legacy is one of the most lucrative in history and in 2022 alone, Forbes magazine ranked Michael Jackson at number six on the list of "The Highest Paid Dead Celebrities of 2022".
Who did Michael Jackson leave his money to? ›According to Michael's will, his three children — Prince, Paris, and Blanket — will receive $33 million each. They each received allowances until they turned 21 and will gain access to one-third of their trust fund at age 30. The remainder is said to be disbursed in increments at ages 35 and 40.
How much is Michael Jackson's glove worth? ›The world's most famous right-hand glove sold for $190,000 at an auction on the first anniversary of its owner, Michael Jackson's death. Jackson first wore the white Swarovski crystal-studded glove during the 1984 Victory Tour with his brothers...
Do the Jacksons still own the house in Gary Indiana? ›Jackson still owns the house and the house next door, and visits every so often. Underwhelming. Large stone memorial no longer there. The only way to tell it was MJ's home is because it's the nicest looking one in the neighborhood with a metal fence around it.
Is anyone in the Jackson family still alive? ›While Michael died in 2009 at age 50 almost and, all of his siblings are still alive to continue his legacy.
Who has custody of the Jackson children? ›Jackson and Rowe divorced in 1999 and the singer was given full custody of the kids. The children grew up at his Neverland Ranch, and after their father's death, the siblings went to live with their grandmother, Katherine Jackson.
Did Michael Jackson and Jermaine Jackson get along? ›
In “You Are Not Alone, Michael: Through a Brother's Eyes,” Jermaine's book, released in 2011, he shares that he and Michael had a very close bond in the early years. They often shared a room together, with their father Joseph in the next adjoining one. He wanted to keep an eye (or an ear) out for his two lead singers.
Why did Michael Jackson wear one glove? ›"Michael was beginning to develop the vitiligo and it started on his hand. "The glove was to cover the vitiligo; that's how that glove came into being."
Who is Randy and Jermaine baby mama? ›Alejandra Jackson and her brood started a new life away from the home of grandparents Katherine and Joe Jackson. She had two children with Randy Jackson – Genevieve and Randy Jr. – and then married Randy's brother Jermaine, having sons Jaafar and Jermajesty.
Do the Jacksons have the same father? ›Katherine and Joe Jackson were Michael's parents and he was number eight of 10 children. From oldest to youngest – Rebbie, Jackie, Tito, Jermaine, La Toya, Marlon (whose twin Brandon died in child birth), Michael, Randy and Janet.
Who was the youngest of the original Jackson 5? ›The group of five brothers became a pop-music phenomenon, but it was their youngest member, Michael, who would go on to become The King of Pop. Their funky, youthful sound and tight choreography made their two appearances on The Ed Sullivan Show a moment in music history.
Who was the youngest boy Jackson? ›Randy Jackson is the youngest Jackson brother, and was a member of the Jacksons back in the 1970s and 1980s.
Why did the Jackson 5 change their name to The Jacksons? ›Today in 1975, The Jackson 5 announced that they were leaving Motown Records for Epic Records. The brothers were forced to change their name to The Jacksons because Motown owned the other name.
How long did the Jackson 5 stay together? ›| The Jackson 5 | |
|---|---|
| Genres | R&B, pop, soul, disco, funk |
| Years active | 1964–89 |
| Labels | Steeltown, Motown, Philadelphia International, Epic |
| Past member(s) | Jackie Jackson Tito Jackson Jermaine Jackson Marlon Jackson Michael Jackson Randy Jackson |
In 1983, Jermaine returned to the group, but by 1989 Marlon and Michael had already left to focus on their solo careers. Overall, 18 of the group's singles rose within the US Billboard Top 20, with four of them reaching #1.
How old would Michael Jackson be today? ›Michael Jackson would have turned 64 on August 29, 2022.
Did Diana Ross discover the Jackson 5? ›
Never shy of a little chutzpah, Motown announced that the soon-to-be-solo Diana had discovered the label's new quintet herself.
What happened to the original Jackson 5? ›The brothers kept the family group – no longer The Jackson 5, but simply the Jacksons – going after Michael's death, going on several tours and also releasing new recordings. Randy, the family's youngest son who replaced Jermaine in the family group in the 1970s, went on to co-found a record label with sister Janet.
Was the Jackson 5 forced? ›The Jackson 5, as they were to become, were not allowed outside to play with other children: they rehearsed for five hours a day after school, their enthusiasm incentivised by the fact that if they got a dance step wrong their father would order them to break a branch off a tree in their garden that he then hit them ...
Who is the most famous Jackson in the world? ›Michael Joseph Jackson (August 29, 1958 – June 25, 2009) was an American singer, songwriter, dancer, and philanthropist. Dubbed the "King of Pop", he is regarded as one of the most significant cultural figures of the 20th century.
How successful was the Jackson 5? ›According to some sources, the Jackson 5 have sold more than 100 million records worldwide. In 1980, the brothers were honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame as the Jacksons. They were inducted to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1997.
What movement did the Jackson Five represent? ›But in fact, their charismatic pull is down to exquisite singing, professional stagecraft that defines show business and groundbreaking productions that always kept them at the forefront of the pop-soul movement.
Who were in the Jackson 5? ›The Jackson 5
Who was the most popular Jackson 5 member? ›Jermaine Jackson
Perhaps the most famous Jackson 5 member outside of Michael, Jermaine was born in 1954, and has had his own successful solo career, and was the band's second main vocalist.
Today in 1975, The Jackson 5 announced that they were leaving Motown Records for Epic Records. The brothers were forced to change their name to The Jacksons because Motown owned the other name.
Why did the Jackson 5 break up? ›As may be expected, Michael Jackson left The Jacksons when his solo career took off, and he wanted to focus on that. The band was started back in 1965 with Jackie, Tito and Jermaine Jackson.
Which Jackson brother was closest to Michael? ›
Marlon Jackson was born in 1957 along with a twin, who died shortly after birth. Out of all of the Jackson brothers, Marlon was closest to Michael Jackson.
Who is the richest of the Jackson family? ›Net Worth: $190 Million
With a net worth (per Celebrity Net Worth) of $190 million, Janet Jackson is the richest Jackson family member.
Michael Jackson They called him the King of Pop* for a reason. Janet Jackson With 160 million albums sold, ten No. 1 singles, and a new world tour in support of her album Unbreakable, she'd be the biggest pop star in pretty much any other family.
Which Jackson made the most money? ›Profitable after death:
According to Forbes, Michael Jackson is the deceased artist and celebrity with more revenue in the world. After he died in 2009, Michael Jackson spent 11 years on top.
Not only did the Jackson Five launch the career of Michael Jackson, but the group's own "bubblegum soul" sound—which combined influences from vocal groups, contemporary soul and R&B stars, and classic Motown artists—was enormously successful.
Who was the original lead singer of the Jackson 5? ›Originally, the Jackson 5 were composed of brothers Jackie (born Sigmund Jackson, May 4, 1951), Tito (guitar, born Toriano Jackson, October 15, 1953), Jermaine (bass, lead vocals, born December 11, 1954), Marlon (born March 12, 1957), and Michael (lead vocals, born August 29, 1958).
Why was Jackson in debt? ›Upon his death, Michael's net worth was estimated to be around $500 million. But it is said that due to his lavish lifestyle, the Thriller singer lost most of it and was in debt. He even reportedly loaned $380 million to finance his lifestyle.